Title: Robert Carlton (Bob) Wilson Papers, 1953-1980
Primary Creator: Wilson, Robert (1916-)
Extent: 597.83 Linear Feet
Date Acquired: 12/18/1980
Subjects: Politicians--California--San Diego, San Diego (Calif.)--Politics and government, San Diego County (Calif.)--Politics and government--Sources, United States--Politics and government--1945-1989, Wilson, Bob, 1916--Archives
Forms of Material: Personal Papers, Photographs
Languages: English
Born in Calexico, Imperial County, California on April 5, 1916, Bob Wilson attended local public schools in Calexico. The Wilson family moved to San Diego, California in 1928. While attending San Diego State College, Wilson worked as a newsboy, grocery clerk, and theater usher. Wilson also attended the Otis Art Institute, working part-time as a milk route salesman, and later as the merchandising manager for a dairy. During WWII, Wilson operated Conship Commissary, served in the Coast Guard Reserve (Port Security Service) and as a private in the United State Army. After the war, Wilson joined an advertising agency in San Diego as a partner and Vice president.
Elected in 1952 as a Republican (83rd Congress) from what was then California's 30th District (all of San Diego City and County), Wilson rose to the position of ranking minority member of the House Armed Services Committee. He also served from 1960-64 as House Republican Election Committee chairman. Wilson was one of the originators of the 1951 California movement that resulted in Dwight Eisenhower's presidential candidacy. He retired in 1980.
Politicians--California--San Diego
San Diego (Calif.)--Politics and government
San Diego County (Calif.)--Politics and government--Sources
United States--Politics and government--1945-1989
Wilson, Bob, 1916--Archives
Repository: Special Collections & University Archives
Access Restrictions: Access to some records is restricted, please consult with Special Collections & University Archives staff for details. Patrons wishing to use the Robert C. Wilson Papers must sign a "Researcher's Agreement," a copy of which can be obtained from Special Collections & University Archives staff.
Use Restrictions: The copyright interests in these materials have not been transferred to San Diego State University. Copyright resides with the creators of materials contained in the collection or their heirs. The nature of historical archival and manuscript collections is such that copyright status may be difficult or even impossible to determine. Requests for permission to publish must be submitted to the Head of Special Collections, San Diego State University, Library and Information Access. When granted, permission is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical item and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder(s), which must also be obtained in order to publish. Materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials.
Acquisition Source: Robert C. Wilson
Preferred Citation: Identification of item, folder title, box number, Robert Carlton (Bob) Wilson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Library and Information Access, San Diego State University.
A large collection of news clippings, letters, telegrams, memorandums and other items. Examples are: a Mar. 9, 1955 news clipping from the Evening Tribune featuring a photo of Dr. Ralph Dailard (S.D. City Schools Superintendent) displaying a $5,058,533 check as final payment received under P.L. 815; 10 mimeographed pages on P.L. 874 an a state by state summary of applications & "Comments on 3 Percent Absorption Formula;" 3 packets of letters (Mar., July & Aug. 1955) from Superintendent Ralph Dailard, Associate Superintendent George Geyer & Congressman Wilson re/ "the President's school bills," "the situation at Convair Plant II in regard to Federally-connected children," & "additional property to the present Mission Bay Senior High School Site" -- "Surplus Property Bayview Terrace Housing Project" (8.89 acres); a packet of letters, a telegram & office notes (Jan.-Aug. 1955) from local S.D. County School Districts re/ new legislation to amend P.L. 874 & 815; a large packet of letters, photos, plot plan & maps from San Diego City Schools (Jan.-Sept. 1955) re/ acquiring surplus land from the Bayview Terrace Housing Project; letters (Sept., Nov. & Dec. 1955) from the Office of Education (HEW), Dr. Dailard (City Schools) & Congressman Wilson re/ Public Law 382, tax-exempt Federal property and a deficiency of federal funding; a copy of San Diego State College Laboratory School's "Expressions On Educational Problems San Diego County Conference On Education," September 17, 1955; a copy of "Federal School Construction Aid Public Law 815 Entitlements of the San Diego Unified School District . . . March 30, 1956;" 7 letters (Dec. '55 to Jan.'56) re/ "discussion with respect to the acquisition by the Government of Convair Plant 2 and a possible retroactive application for benefits by the school system flowing from that taking;" a letter (4/5/56) from Dr. Dailard to Congressman Wilson appreciating his "active and successful support of the Federal school assistance program under Public Laws 815 and 874;" a copy of SD City
Schools "Statement On Proposed Amendments To Public Laws 815-874: Federal School Assistance Program" (4/5/56); a copy of S.D. Unified School District "Statistical Report" for 1954-1955 & a letter (10/26/56) from B. Alden Lillywhite (Associate Dir. for Federally Affected Areas (HEW) & attached copy of "Grants To San Diego Unified School District Under Public Law 815" "Total of all . . . funds reserved and received" = "$15,857,885."
A large collection of letters, telegrams, news clippings, reports and other items. Examples are: Office of the Superintendent of Schools San Diego County re/ "Federal Funds Received for the Period September 1950 through April 1957" (5 pp.); a large packet containing the Statement of Superintendent Ralph Dailard (S.D. Unified School District) and related items to the House Subcommittee on Education and Labor re/ extension of P.L. 815 and P.L. 874n on Jan. 29, 1958; several news clippings from local San Diego papers indicating Wilson's support for School
Aid from the Federal Government; a number of telegrams from Wilson to various local school districts indicating amounts of entitlements under P.L.874 and 815; extensive commentaries on the value to local school districts of federal impact aid funds; and additional letters, telegrams and news clippings on this subject.
A collection of office notes, letters, memorandum, reports & government notices. Examples are: draft copy of Congressman Wilson letter (4/61) to Mr. Lawson re/ "the Sweetwater District Teacher's Association with respect to the Federal Aid to Education Programs now before Congress;" a letter (3/11/61) from Roy E. Simpson (CA. Superintendent of Education) to Congress James Utt and attached CA Dept. of Education's "The Effect of Title II -- Amendments to Public Law 874 Contained in H.R. 4970 as Compared with the Current Provision of Public Law 874" (11 pages); a large packet from the Office of Education, HEW, April 17, 1961, containing "a breakdown by congressional districts and by States of Federal funds obligated in fiscal year 1960 for construction and maintenance of school facilities under Public Laws 815 and 874;" a small packet of information from the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce (12 pages) -- a strongly word critique of Federal aid to education and of any CA taxpayer funds being used for public schools beyond CA state boundaries; a booklet from the Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America containing "Testimony on Federal Aid To Education . . ." March 19, 1961 before the Education Subcommittee of the Senate Labor and Public Welfare Committee;" a collection of letters from the South Bay Union School District, President Clark Kerr (The University
of CA), Grossmont Union High School, Chula Vista City Schools and replies from Wilson re/ extension of Federal impact aid legislation & the National Defense Education Act of 1958's importance to the University; a copy of the NEA's "Research Report 1960-1961 -- Rankings of the States, 1961."
A collection of telegrams, letters & official records. Examples are: a telephone conversation record (4/17/59) from Wilson's office re/ Aztec College Trust; office note and telegram (4/17/59) from Leon Parma to Strang, Torrance and Wansley & Dr. Ernest B. O'Byrne (V.P. S.D.S.C.) re/ "Internal Revenue approved Aztec Trust exemption application on all banks but Bank of America" & letters (5/11/59) from Dr. O'Byrne & Albert W. Strang thanking Wilson for his assistance facilitating the exemption; a letter (1/19/59) from Harry E. Callaway (President, Thearle Music Co.) to Wilson re/ background information on problem of forming a charitable trust entitled "The Aztec College Trust;" a small packet containing an introductory letter (12/24/58) from Albert Strang to Leon Parma and enclosed copies of "letters to the District Director of Internal Revenue" related to "Trust in regard to the First National Bank, San Diego Trust, Bank of America, and Title Insurance (Union Title);"
more copies of 1958 corresp. related to the processes connected with forming the Aztec Charitable Trust from Torrance, Wansley and Strang (Attorneys At Law), Leon Parma and Congessman Wilson, and Dr. O'Byrne; a copy of 4 pages from Torrance & Wansley to District Director of Internal Revenue, Los Angeles & attached copy of "San Diego State Serves The Community" (8 pages) re/ details of the trust and other information; a copy of form 1023 "Exemption Application" for the Aztec College Trust (2/58) and a copy of "Declaration of Trust Creating 'The Aztec College Trust'" (19 pp., 1957).